Abstract: There is disclosed a method for screening drug candidate compounds for anti-epileptic activity, a method for screening drug candidate compounds for activity to prevent or treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, and a method for determining cell viability and health of living cells inside polymeric tissue implants.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sterilizeable, disposable or reuseable device comprising a hollow tubular structure configured having a middle protrusion portion having holes drilled therein for tongue retraction and outer wings for mounting cheek retractors, and two cheek retractors positioned for cheek and lip retraction.

Abstract: A filter device used to remove organic and inorganic debris from a liquid stream, such as irrigation water. The device comprises a diverter tube having a plurality of apertures therein to divert a significant portion of the liquids entering the device onto a filter screen, thereby filtering out the lighter debris on the screen. A portion of the liquid flows through the diverter tube with the heavier debris entrained therein, which settles out by gravity in a dead water zone at the lowermost end of the device. A flush valve can be opened, permitting the heavier debris to be swept out, and back-flushing the lighter debris off of the filter screen.

Abstract: This invention concerns new methods and compositions that are useful in preventing and ameliorating cachexia, the clinical syndrome of poor nutritional status and bodily wasting associated with cancer and other chronic diseases. More particularly, the invention relates to aromatic guanylhydrazone (more properly termed amidinohydrazone) compositions and their use to inhibit the uptake of arginine by macrophages and/or its conversion to urea. These compositions and methods are also useful in preventing the generation of nitric oxide (NO) by cells, and so to prevent NO-mediated inflammation and other responses in persons in need of same. In another embodiment, the compounds can be used to inhibit arginine uptake in arginine-dependent tumors and infections.

Abstract: This invention concerns new methods and compositions that are useful in preventing and ameliorating cachexia, the clinical syndrome of poor nutritional status and bodily wasting associated with cancer and other chronic diseases. More particularly, the invention relates to aromatic guanylhydrazone (more properly termed amidinohydrazone) compositions and their use to inhibit the uptake of arginine by macrophages and/or its conversion to urea. These compositions and methods are also useful in preventing the generation of nitric oxide (NO) by cells, and so to prevent NO-mediated inflammation and other responses in persons in need of same. In another embodiment, the compounds can be used to inhibit arginine uptake in arginine-dependent tumors and infections, and autoimmune or other diseases in which activated macrophages are involved, such as septic shock, heumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a structural genus of compounds, defined according to coordinates in three-dimensional space, that binds amino moieties on neighboring lysine residues in a tyrosine residue 29 pocket of the matrix protein component of the HIV preintegration complex (PIC), thereby preventing the PIC from binding to karyopherin .alpha. and preventing nuclear importation and integration of the HIV viral genome into the host cell DNA, thereby preventing viral infection.

Abstract: There is disclosed an adjuvant composition for potentiating the immunogenicity of an antigen, comprising water or an aqueous solution and hemozoin or .beta.-hematin.

Abstract: This invention concerns new methods and compositions that are useful in preventing and ameliorating cachexia, the clinical syndrome of poor nutritional status and bodily wasting associated with cancer and other chronic diseases. More particularly, the invention relates to aromatic guanylhydrazone (more properly termed amidinohydrazone) compositions and their use to inhibit the uptake of arginine by macrophages and/or its conversion to urea. These compositions and methods are also useful in preventing the generation of nitric oxide (NO) by cells, and so to prevent NO-mediated inflammation and other responses in persons in need of same. In another embodiment, the compounds can be used to inhibit arginine uptake in arginine-dependent tumors and infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a population of blood borne mammalian cells that express a unique profile of surface markers that includes certain markers typical of connective tissue fibroblasts, and are referred to herein as "blood-borne mesenchymal cells." In particular, it relates to the isolation, characterization and uses of such blood-borne mesenchymal cells. The cells of the present invention can be distinguished from peripheral blood leukocytes by their distinct size, morphology, cell surface phenotype and biologic activities, and are likewise distinguishable from connective tissue fibroblasts by other surface phenotypic markers. These cells proliferate in culture, and in vivo, as demonstrated in animal models, are capable of migrating into wound sites from the blood. Therefore, such blood-borne mesenchymal cells may have a wide range of applications, including, but not limited to, the promotion of wound healing, tissue remodeling, and for gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic modalities and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of HIV-infection using cyclophilin A and its corresponding human cellular binding partner or receptor as a target for intervention. The present invention relates to the use of exogenous or engrafted sources of cyclophilins, anti-cyclophilin antibodies, cyclophilin decoys, soluble forms of cyclophilin-binding partners and small molecules which are supplied extracellularly, and act presumably by interrupting the binding of cyclophilin A with its cellular binding partner(s) or receptor(s) as a treatment for HIV-infection. The present invention further relates to the use of forms of cyclosporin A that have been derivatized by bulky or charged substituents to inhibit cellular uptake and minimize their immunosuppressive activities, which presumably act to disrupt cyclophilin binding to its cellular receptor, likewise as a treatment for HIV-infection.

Abstract: Therapeutic compounds have the formula:(X)j-(core moiety),j being an integer from one to three, the core moiety comprising a core moiety, the core moiety being a heterocycle having one ring or two-fused rings, each ring having five or six ring atoms, A being a carbon atom of the core moiety and attached to a terminal carbon atom of (CH.sub.2).sub.m, and X has a structure and X being a racemic mixture, R or S enantiomer, solvate, hydrate, or salt of: ##STR1## *C is a chiral carbon atom, n is an integer from one to four (preferably from one to three), one or more carbon atoms of (CH.sub.2).sub.n may be substituted by a keto or hydroxy group, and m is an integer from one to fourteen. Independently, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be a hydrogen, a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl of up to twelve carbon atoms in length, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.w R.sub.5, w being an integer from two to fourteen and R.sub.5 being a mono-, di- or tri-substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, substituents on R.sub.

Abstract: A system for maintaining files and documents in an accessible manner in a file container such that the files are retained in a vertical orientation. The system comprises a plurality of deformable, resilient upper retention members to engage an upper portion of the files, and a lower retention member adapted to engage a lower portion of the same file. Securing both the top and bottom of the file prevents file creep within the file container.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for denitrifying tobacco materials and removing barium from tobacco materials, comprising mixing an aqueous-immiscible organic solvent containing a crown ether with an aqueous solution containing soluble components from tobacco materials, agitating this mixture, and separating the organic phase containing a crown ether-cation-nitrate (or nitrite) complex from the aqueous phase containing the denitrified tobacco materials, wherein the cation consists essentially of barium and potassium. There is further disclosed a process for eliminating tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) from cured, denitrified tobacco material, comprising contacting the denitrified tobacco material with a trapping sink, wherein the trapping sink comprises a select transition metal complex which is readily nitrosated to form a nitrosyl complex with little kinetic or thermodynamic hindrance.

Abstract: There is disclosed a genus of compounds that have anti-HIV infection therapeutic activity and inhibit nuclear localization of the HIV preintegration complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a population of blood borne mammalian cells that express a unique profile of surface markers that includes certain markers typical of connective tissue fibroblasts, and are referred to herein as "blood-borne mesenchymal cells." In particular, it relates to the isolation, characterization and uses of such blood-borne mesenchymal cells. The cells of the present invention can be distinguished from peripheral blood leukocytes by their distinct size, morphology, cell surface phenotype and biologic activities, and are likewise distinguishable from connective tissue fibroblasts by other surface phenotypic markers. These cells proliferate in culture, and in vivo, as demonstrated in animal models, are capable of migrating into wound sites from the blood. Therefore, such blood-borne mesenchymal cells may have a wide range of applications, including, but not limited to, the promotion of wound healing, tissue remodeling, and for gene therapy.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for treating certain psychiatric symptoms including anger, rejection sensitivity and a lack of mental or physical energy with administration of a nontoxic dose of a serotonin re-uptake blocker. Preferably, the serotonin re-uptake blocker is fluoxetine or norfluoxetine.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lubricant additive ingredient that imparts extreme pressure anti-wear properties to lubricant additive compositions. Specifically, there is disclosed a derivative of a vegetable oil triglyceride, a wax ester or a telomerized oil reacted with phosphorous pentasulfide to produce a phosphorous-sulfur (PS) extreme pressure additive.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for treating Late Luteal Phase Dysphoric Disorder with administration of a nontoxic dose of a serotonin re-uptake blocker. Preferably, the serotonin re-uptake blocker is fluoxetine or norfluoxetine.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing premium grades of metal oxide comprising (1) providing wet or dried hydrous metal oxide containing high levels (e.g., 2%-10% chloride) of halogen contamination, (2) treating the contaminated metal oxide with a base in gas phase, which base is volatile at .ltoreq.900.degree. C., at a final temperature of between 750.degree. C. to no greater than 900.degree. C. wherein the temperature is brought to the final temperature in increments of about 25.degree. C., until gas exiting shows no additional evolution of a halogen conjugated acid, and (3) exposing the treated metal oxide to air or oxygen at a temperature of 500.degree. to 600.degree. C. to convert any metal nitrides or oxynitrides present to metal oxide, wherein the metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5, niobium oxide, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide and titanium oxide. The inventive process yields a premium grade, high active surface area .beta.-Ta.sub.2 O.sub.